Pandemic Preparation in the Commonwealth Mass Health Policy Forum - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Pandemic Preparation in the Commonwealth Mass Health Policy Forum 6/8/06

Our Goal • When the pandemic has passed, and the impact of the wave recedes, we will be able to look back and know: – That the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did everything it could; and – That by having the right plans in place, and the capability to respond effectively and efficiently , we were able to come together to meet the challenges. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 2

Our Goal • We will be able to say that: – We maintained essential services, – We preserved life and minimized discomfort, – We created a supportive caring network for our most vulnerable, – We minimized the suffering of ALL our residents, and – We protected our families and first responders. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 3

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What must we prepare for? • Surge capacity within the health care system (personnel and hospital capacity). • Assure the health and safety of the most vulnerable citizens. • Assure the continuity of society. • Surveillance / real time identification capability regarding flu outbreaks. • Timely, effective communications. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 5

Overall Planning Process • Global / International, and National (WHO, HHS / HRSA, CDC / BT, DHS / HSPD-8) – Surveillance, Doctrine / Guidance, National Stockpile, Preparedness Grants • State / Regional (EOPS / MEMA, EOHHS / MADPH) – Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning for all ESF’s • Local / Institutional – COOPs for Businesses, Schools, Colleges, Churches, Community Based Agencies / Providers, Municipal Government • Family / Individual – Emergency plans, supplies, and contingencies 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 6

MA Preparedness Planning • Through EOPS / MEMA Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans have been prepared for all executive branch agencies – Agencies responsible for the18 Emergency Support Functions (health care, food, water, energy, public safety, transportation, etc.) have prepared comprehensive, “All Hazard” COOPs to ensure the continuity of society. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 7

MA Preparedness Planning • Through EOHHS / MADPH: – An education and outreach campaign has been launched through regional forums across the state. – All HHS agencies and providers have been required to develop comprehensive COOPs that specifically address the impact of an influenza pandemic to patients as well as the work force. – The potential impact of a pandemic on the population at large and the health care system in specific has been analyzed at all levels to identify and address vulnerabilities. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 8

Impact Estimates

10 Mass Health Policy Forum outbreak 30% attack rate 6/8/06

Comparison of Pandemic Planning Numbers 1958/68-like MDPH 1918-like Surge Planning* # Ill 2 M (30%) 2M (30%) 2 M (30%) Hospitalizations 20,000 (1%) 80,000 (4%) 220,000 (11%) ICU Care 2,746 Peak – 11,173 31,680 Mechanical 1,368 Peak – 3,352 15,840 Ventilation Deaths 4,600 (0.23%) 20,000 (1%) 42,000 (2.1%) *Based on 3X 1968 projections (Trust For America’s health report: A Killer Flu, www.healthyamericans.org, June 2005) 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 11

Hospital Surge Capacity

Surge Bed Capacity vs. Need Levels 1 Level 3 Level 4 Total Bed Total Variance and 2 * Beds Capacity Needed 1 (West.) 2,122 277 1,026 3,425 3,284 141 2 (Central) 1,948 460 579 2,987 2,867 120 3 (N.E.) 2,663 788 1,286 4,737 4,022 715 4AB (128) 2,879 740 915 4,534 5,096 (562) 4C (Bos.) 3,013 978 748 4,739 4,014 725 5 (S.E.) 2,761 324 517 3,283 4,277 (994) STATE 15,061 3,567 5,071 23,705 23,560 145 * Requires Purchase of Beds & Supplies 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 14

Health Care Personnel 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 15

Health Care Personnel Recommendations • Hospital staff could be reduced by as much as 40% during Pandemic, therefore: – In order to assure essential workforce capabilities we must optimize the MA System for Advanced Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals. – Critical to the viability of such a system, and thereby our capability of assuring adequate personnel is the passage of legislation that indemnifies said volunteers and makes them eligible for worker’s compensation insurance; and – Leverage Regional Medical Reserve Corps’ capacity to recruit, train and coordinate local medical volunteers. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 16

MA Preparedness Planning • Governor Romney: – Hosted a State-wide Pandemic Planning Summit 2/7/06 with HHS Secretary Leavitt. – Submitted a $36.5 Million Supplemental Budget Request for Pandemic Preparedness. – Hosting 5 Regional Pandemic Planning Conferences • Targeting key sectors (municipal leaders, business, schools, colleges / universities, community based organizations and public safety / health and hospitals) across the Commonwealth as partners to promote local preparedness. 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 17

Summary Recommendations • The Governor’s supplemental budget request to “Provide Funding to Support Pandemic Preparation and Response in the Commonwealth” would support efforts to: – Assure Availability of Adequate Health Care Personnel: • Establish MSAR of health care volunteers • Approve legislation indemnifying volunteers • Enhance Medical Reserve Corps – Enhance Hospital Surge Capacity – Develop State Stockpile of Antiviral Medications – Enhance State Laboratory Surveillance Capabilities – Develop 30 day Stockpile of Food, Supplies and Medications for State Operated 24 / 7 Hospitals / Programs 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 18

Upcoming Milestones • Follow-up activities identified through the conferences will be in process by July. • Guidance / directives from the administration on key issues should be disseminated in July: – Mandatory closures, Quarantine and travel restrictions, Communication / notice protocols, Indemnification of volunteers, Locations of local Influenza Specialty Care Units (ISCUs) • Simulations / exercises will be rolled-out during July, August and September • Public education campaigns in Fall 2006 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 19

What the public can do • Educate yourself and family members: – Review the “Pandemic Influenza Guide for Individuals and Families” included in your package and at www.pandemicflu.gov • Develop a home emergency plan and put together a kit as detailed by the Red Cross: – http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_91_,00.html • As best you can, keep a supply of canned and dried food in the home • Talk with your healthcare provider about having more than a 30-day supply of needed medications • Maintain good health and good habits 6/8/06 Mass Health Policy Forum 20